The 15 Best Tours and Activities in Rome, Italy

Rome is a beautiful city nestled on the banks of the Tiber River. Once the capital of an ancient empire, it is still one of the most visited cities in the world. From the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, through to the Colosseum and beyond, Rome has a rich and varied history that is just waiting to be discovered.

With a city with so much to offer, it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start. Below are our hand-selected best tours in Rome.

Skip-the-Queue Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Tour

Duration: 2.5 hours

Rating: 4.6/5

This short walking tour gives you exclusive access through the Official Vatican Partner entrance. It allows you to take in the wonders of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican, Raphael Rooms, the Papal collections, and the famous Gallery of Maps. Your expert and experienced guide will share exciting and engaging stories about the antiquities in front of you before delivering you to St. Peter’s Square, where the Pope delivers his public addresses.

Suitable for groups of up to 20 visitors, the tour offers no-wait access to some of the most alluring sights the city has to offer, and visitors will never miss a moment with headsets provided to hear the guide while walking.

Learn how to skip the line at the Vatican, along with prices, photos, and availability.

Skip-the-Queue Colosseum and Arena Floor Guided Tour

Duration: 1 hour

Rating: 4.4/5

Take a short time out of your day to experience for yourself the iconic landmark where the gladiators once stood and did battle for the crowds. This tour offers exclusive access to the usually inaccessible arena floor, which is listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Enter through the Gladiator’s Gate and stand in the spot where gladiators once fought to the death. Afterward, you will get the opportunity to learn all about everyday life in Rome and walk through the ruin of the Roman Fort. Your guide will talk you through fascinating facts about the Romans and tell you more about the rich history of the landmark itself.

If you’re a history buff, this is right up your alley. Click to check the Colosseum Skip-the-Queue tour prices and availability.

Hot Tip: Check out our guide to the best times to visit Italy before planning your trip.

Crypts & Catacombs Tour With Bone Chapel Visit

Duration: 3.5 hours

Rating: 4.7/5

This half-day tour will take you deep into the city’s mysterious underworld while offering exclusive access to some of the most complete and interesting crypts and catacombs in the world. From the comfort of your air-conditioned coach, you can skip the queue and see firsthand the hallowed catacombs where early Christians practiced their forbidden faith.

After the tombs, continue to the Colosseum to the Basilica of San Clemente where you will head below ground to travel back through time from the 12th-century basilicas to the 2nd-century cult temple and ruins dating back as far as 64 AD. Finally, your guide will take you to the Capuchin Crypt with its somber floor-to-ceiling designs that give it the macabre nickname of “the Bone Chapel.”

Want to learn more about the Crypts and Catacombs tour, along with prices and availability? Click to check prices & availability.

Palatine Hill and Roman Forum Skip-the-Queue Tour

Duration: 1.5 hours

Rating: 4.1/5

Avoid the queues at this popular tourist destination as you explore the ancient ruins and learn more about their place in Roman history. From the Roman Forum entrance, you can explore Palatine Hill and the settlements, as well as breathing in the beauty of the House of Augustus and the Hippodrome. You can also enjoy the views across the sunken garden from the Palace of Domitian, the Circus Maximus, and the valley of the Roman Forum.

Your tour guide will tell you all about the legend of Romulus and Remus. You will get a chance to see some of Rome’s most famous ruins including the Temple of Julius Caesar, the Arch of Titus, the House of the Vestal Virgins, and the Roman Forum’s Sacred Way, where triumphant Centurions of Caesar returned from their conquests.

Not surprising, but tons of history to appreciate and explore — made more exciting with your guide. Click to explore photos, prices, and availability for the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum tour.

Ancient Rome Segway Tour

Duration: 2-3.5 hours

Rating: 4.9/5

This quirky way to see the city is one of the highest-rated tours available and offers a fast-paced, fun tour that takes in many of the main attractions. After a short instructional training session on riding your Segway, you will get to glide your way through streets steeped in history as you learn about the legends and landmarks of Imperial Rome.

Your guide will tell you the story of Romulus and Remus as you sweep through the 7 hills of Rome. During the tour, you will be able to see first hand the Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, and the Colosseum, as well as plenty of hidden treasures and lesser-known landmarks, before dismounting from your eco-friendly two-wheeler to enjoy the city on your own.

Interested in the ultimate dichotomy of exploring ancient history via one of the newest forms of transportation? Learn more about the Ancient Rome tour, along with photos, prices, and availability.

Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s Square Tour

Duration: 3 hours

Rating: 4.8/5

Starting out at the Ponte Sant’Angelo, you will be in the perfect place to admire the bridge, built in 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian, that spans the River Tiber and reaches from the city center to his mausoleum in the Castel Sant’Angelo. Wonder at the angelic sculptures of Bernini, Raggi, and Morelli, and take in the unparalleled beauty of the frescoes, Papal apartments, and magnificent corridors of the castle.

Your guide will take you along the Passetto di Borgo, the elevated passage that links the Vatican City with the Castel Sant’Angelo, before you arrive in St. Peter’s Square. You will also be able to take in the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and see first hand the red granite obelisk, erected initially at Heliopolis and moved to the Vatican in 1586.

Click to read more about the tour of Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s Square, along with photos, prices, and availability.

Rome Street Food and Sightseeing Guided Tour

Duration: 2.5 hours

Rating: 4.8/5

Get a real taste of Italy with this authentic food tasting tour that also takes in some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Starting with a morning visit to the Campo de’ Fiori, you can sample the best food and flower markets the city has to offer before visiting a local charcuterie to try cured meats and Rome’s very own tasty street food, supplì.

Your tour guide will share interesting facts and entertaining stories about Roman food as you head to the Roman Ghetto to enjoy an authentic Roman pizza, alongside tempting samples of zucchini flower fritters, deep-fried artichokes, and other seasonal produce. Finally, you will be able to satisfy your sweet tooth with a delicious artisanal gelato near Largo di Torre Argentina.

This tour is more for those who want to experience the food culture the Italy, all the while enjoying historical landmarks! Learn more about the Street food and sightseeing tour, along with photos, prices, and availability.

Hot Tip: Looking for a place to stay? Check out these 15 great hotels in Rome.

Borghese Gallery Guided Tour

Duration: 2 hours

Rating: 4.7/5

This short tour is perfect for visitors who want to want to learn more about the artworks held in the Gallery, as well as the artists and the inspiration behind them. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful art galleries in the world, merely seeing inside is a treat in itself.

On this tour you will be able to skip the queue and stroll straight in to admire Caravaggio’s most important paintings like “Young Sick Bacchus” and “Boy with a Basket of Fruit,” as well as the Bernini and Canova’s magnificent sculpture collection that includes “Apollo and Daphne,” “David,” “The Rape of Proserpina,” and the “Paolina Bonaparte.” The gallery is also home to Raphael’s world-famous “The Deposition.”

Your guide will lead you through the rooms, telling you many interesting facts about the artists behind the exhibits, before you step outside to enjoy a walking tour of Villa Borghese Gardens.

If you’re looking for a tour focusing on art and culture, be sure to check out this tour. Click to check Borghese Gallery tour prices and availability.

Rome: 4-Hour Food and Wine Tasting Tour

Duration: 4 hours

Rating: 4.7/5

Eat and drink your way around the most beautiful city in the world with this 4-hour food and wine tasting tour. Starting in the Campo de’ Fiori, you can enjoy bustling street cafes and live entertainments. Your guide will take you to a variety of local hot spots to sample Italian cheeses, artisanal salamis, and a taste of the country’s finest wines.

Try authentic Roman delicacies such as pizza, supplì (rice balls) and baccalà fritto (fried salted cod), and wander through to the Trastevere district to enjoy exquisite Roman antipasto and fine wine. Finally, find your sweet spot with Italian ice cream from a famous gelateria.

Food and wine — what more could you dream of in Italy? Explore the food and wine tours’ prices, photos, and availability to see if this may just be the way you wanted to experience Rome.

Rome: Appia Antica 3-Hour Electric Bike Tour

Duration: 3 hours

Rating: 4.8/5

Spend a few hours away from the busy city center in this 3-hour bike tour of the ancient Via Appia. Using pedal-assisted cycles, your tour will take you from the Colosseum out along the Appia Antica Regina Viarum, one of the earliest roads in the Roman Republic.

This gentle paced 2-wheeled tour will take you past the Terme di Caracalla public baths, the Catacombs of St. Callisto and St. Sebastian, the ruins of Circus of Massenzio, and the mausoleum Tomb of Cecilia Metella. On your way back to the city, you will be able to admire the ruins of the archaeological site of Capo di Bove and the outskirts of Rome.

For those looking for an outdoor focused tour, this may be worth considering. Click to learn more about the Appia Antica 3-Hour, along with photos, prices, and availability.

Tuscany Taster Tour: Round-Trip From Rome With Lunch & Wine

Duration: 13 hours

Rating: 4.7/5

This full-day tour will show you some of the most famous sights outside the city of Rome, and includes a first-class 3-course meal and authentic Roman dining experience. The air-conditioned coach will take you through the rolling Tuscan hills before arriving at the hill town of Montepulciano for a walking tour. The tour will then move on to Sant’Antimo Abbey before stopping for lunch in an authentic vineyard farmhouse.

Before you head back to Rome, you will stop at the ancient town of Pienza where you can explore at your leisure. This tour is a great way to explore the beautiful countryside surrounding the city.

Enjoy lunch paired with stellar wine to relax while you escape in Tuscany. Explore the Tuscany Taster Tour, along with prices, photos, and availability.

Rome: Skip-the-Queue Pompeii & Vesuvius Day Trip

Duration: 13 hours

Rating: 4.7/5

Visitors come from all over the world to take in the ambiance of the preserved city of Pompeii and get up close and personal with the most dangerous volcano in the world. An air-conditioned bus will take from you the city of Rome out to the ruins, where your very own tour coordinator will take you through the eerie streets and inside the ancient houses.

You will have plenty of time to explore and take pictures before an authentic Neapolitan pizza lunch. The coach will then take you on a short ride to the foot of the volcano in the summer months and the ancient city of Naples in the winter months.

Learn how to skip the line at Pompeii and Vesuvius, along with prices, photos, and availability.

Ostia Antica Half-Day Tour from Rome by Train

Duration: 4 hours

Rating: 4.7/5

Follow in the footsteps of the former citizens of the Roman Republic on this half-day walking tour of Ostia Antica, dating back as far as the 4th century BC. Stroll along the main Decumanus Maximus thoroughfare, and visit the Baths of Neptune, crowned by an impressively mosaic of the sea god himself. The Forica (public washrooms) offers a rare opportunity to take a peek at a Roman loo, before heading out the beach.

Travel in comfort on a modern, air-conditioned train and listen to a range of interesting facts and stories from your English speaking tour guide along the way.

Italy is full of history and this tour is no exception. Sound interesting? Explore the Ostia Antica half-day tour, along with photos, prices, and availability.

Frascati Wine Road From Rome: Tasting & Lunch

Duration: 3.5 hours

Rating: 4.8/5

Sample some of the delicious white wines that the Lazio wine region is so famous for on this half-day tour of a family-owned winery, just 30 minutes outside the city. While you are there, you will be able to explore the grounds of an Iconic Lazio vineyard that has been producing wine for over 7 generations, as well as joining your guide for a guided tasting of the vineyards Frascati Superiore DOCG white wine, Vagnolo IGP red wine, and Frascati DOC White Wine.

You will also be able to sample a range of locally made bread and extra virgin olive oil, also made on the family estate, before enjoying a traditional artisanal lunch of wine, meats, and cheeses. This is a great day out for wine lovers who want a break from the busy city.

Cheers to a great time and tour! Learn more about the Frascati Wine Road tasting, along with prices, photos, and availability.

Assisi & Orvieto Day Trip From Rome

Duration: 10 hours

Rating: 4.8/5

Escape from the city for a day and head out to the Umbrian hill town Orvieto, famous for its cathedral, and then on to Assisi to see the hand-painted Basilica and birthplace of St. Francis. Enjoy taking in the Gothic architecture of the magnificent 14th-century Cathedral in Orvieto before continuing through the Tuscan Hills to discover local wines and olive groves.

This tour will take you along the shores of Lake Trasimeno to Assisi where you can admire the 12th and 14th-century frescos, the People’s Palace, and the Roman Temple dedicated to Minerva. This is a full-day tour that covers a lot of miles, but you will be rewarded with access to some of the most breathtaking views and fascinating landmarks the region has to offer.

If you’re looking to see smaller towns outside of Rome, this may be just what you’re looking for. Still soaked in history and beauty, this tour is a great option. Click to explore photos, prices, and availability of the Assisi & Orvieto day trip.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are looking for a gentle walking tour around the city, or want to head further afield to explore the hills and lakes beyond, Rome has plenty of tours to offer every kind of traveler. The skip-the-line tickets included in a lot of our recomme4nded tours can save you a lot of time and hassle when it comes to visiting attractions.

Read our guide to the best museums in Rome for further inspiration or if you’re looking for more tours in different cities, explore our tour recommendations for London and New York City.